Living the Surrendered LifeSample
Do you have any idea how much God loves you? I don’t think I do either. I’m trying to “grasp” this love as Paul exhorts us to do. But, it’s not an easy task, is it?
The other day I was at the Pharmacy picking up a prescription. My youngest son was with me and was actually just sitting on a bench waiting for me instead of rearranging all of the pain relievers and laxatives.
While I was waiting, I looked over at him. He wasn’t doing anything but just sitting and waiting while I waited. He was not quoting a scripture that he memorized. He wasn't putting away the dishes without being asked. He wasn't showing love and kindness toward his brother. He was just there. And the love I had for him welled up inside of me and I had to fight back the tears.
Because who wants to see a grown woman cry in the Wal-Mart Pharmacy?
That is how God loves us. Just for who we are. Yes, a life of obedience to Him and being in fellowship with Him throughout the day gives Him joy, but He loves us because that is just who He is. He is love and He loved us enough to sacrifice His only son for us. He cannot not love us.
If you are a parent, do you love anyone enough to sacrifice your child for? Yeah, me neither. When I think about the love I have for my own sons, I think I get a glimpse of just how much God loves me.
Friend, rest today in the fact that our God, the Great I Am, the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last…loves you completely and without reservation. And our only reasonable response to Him should be giving Him our complete lives. In this bold act of faith, I believe true joy and contentment resides.
Action Steps
Do you really believe that God absolutely loves you? Do you ever feel that you have to do something to earn God's love? Spend a few minutes with God and allow His love for you to fall upon you and drench you.
The other day I was at the Pharmacy picking up a prescription. My youngest son was with me and was actually just sitting on a bench waiting for me instead of rearranging all of the pain relievers and laxatives.
While I was waiting, I looked over at him. He wasn’t doing anything but just sitting and waiting while I waited. He was not quoting a scripture that he memorized. He wasn't putting away the dishes without being asked. He wasn't showing love and kindness toward his brother. He was just there. And the love I had for him welled up inside of me and I had to fight back the tears.
Because who wants to see a grown woman cry in the Wal-Mart Pharmacy?
That is how God loves us. Just for who we are. Yes, a life of obedience to Him and being in fellowship with Him throughout the day gives Him joy, but He loves us because that is just who He is. He is love and He loved us enough to sacrifice His only son for us. He cannot not love us.
If you are a parent, do you love anyone enough to sacrifice your child for? Yeah, me neither. When I think about the love I have for my own sons, I think I get a glimpse of just how much God loves me.
Friend, rest today in the fact that our God, the Great I Am, the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last…loves you completely and without reservation. And our only reasonable response to Him should be giving Him our complete lives. In this bold act of faith, I believe true joy and contentment resides.
Action Steps
Do you really believe that God absolutely loves you? Do you ever feel that you have to do something to earn God's love? Spend a few minutes with God and allow His love for you to fall upon you and drench you.
Scripture
About this Plan
The word surrender doesn’t have very positive connotations in our society. It tends to be seen as a weakness. However, surrendering takes more strength than you can imagine. We don't need to carry shame, worry, ingratitude or fear around, we need to “give it up completely” as one of the definitions of surrender suggests. I believe that when we surrender our lives to the Lordship of Christ we will find the abundant life promised us in John 10:10. After all, God gives His best to those who leave the choice to Him.
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